If you want more clients, add speaking to your marketing plan. Speaking is a great way to increase your visibility and showcase your expertise.

When possible, find opportunities where you can be a guest speaker. When you do, you’ll put yourself in front of people who may have never heard of you – and you get a chance to wow them. Your guest speaking opportunities can lead to clients, but it’s important to have a client attraction process in place for your speaking engagements.

What should this process look like? Just follow these steps, and you’ll be in a great position to convert each speaking gig into a client-attracting opportunity:

Marketing your business and expertise isn’t about doing the same things all the time. Yes, you want to turn up the volume on what’s working for your business, but you also need to stretch out of your comfort zone. You want to go bigger with your marketing to help extend your reach and reputation.

So, how do you do that? Check out this marketing strategy where I outline five ways you can go bigger with your marketing.

#1: Write a book

Nothing says “I am an expert” like authoring a book about your niche. And with the popularity of ebooks, you can self-publish an ebook to reach a bigger audience without waiting for a nearly-impossible-to-get book deal. Make sure, though, that you invest in a good editor for your ebook. Typos, misspelled words and incorrect grammar are real turn-offs and will hurt your credibility as an expert.

#2: Teach a class

Between online classes and face-to-face instruction, teaching a class is another great way to go bold with your marketing. You can create an online course, or teach in-person workshops where you charge a fee for a half-day or daylong class. Also, check out local colleges and universities to explore opportunities for adjunct professor positions.

#3: Find paying speaking opportunities

The keynote speakers you see at conferences aren’t there for free; they have charged the conference sponsor for their time and knowledge (and are often well compensated). After you’ve done a host of free events, start looking for paying speaking opportunities. Check out local speakers’ bureaus and then expand to national ones (use Google to find the best speaking bureaus for you). Also, make sure you’ve created a “signature talk” that you can deliver at a moment’s notice. With a presentation in your back pocket, you’ll be more confident in finding speaking opportunities.

#4: Create a professional group or organization

Does your niche have a professional organization? If not, here’s a golden opportunity to grow your business while generating income. Create a professional group or organization with membership fees and benefits. Most groups start out at a local level and then grow from there. You may also want to reach out to other leaders in your niche for their assistance in growing your association.

#5: Land a media interview

Having a journalist interview you as an expert in your field can boost your brand exponentially. First, research local and national journalists who report on stories similar to your niche. Then, begin reaching out to them. Don’t start with a pitch, though. This is an exercise in relationship building. Get to know the reporter, and over time, let him know that you would be happy to help him if the journalist ever needs an expert in your field. The idea is to lend a helping hand, being a time-saver who can assist the reporter when he is against a deadline.

Here’s the thing to remember: Go big or don’t grow.

When you take bold steps, such as the ones outlined in this blog post, your brand will grow, allowing you to attract your ideal clients and serve more people.

ABOUT JILL

Jill Celeste, MA is a bestselling author, marketing teacher and founder of the Celestial Marketing Academy. Jill teaches purpose-driven entrepreneurs everything they need to know about marketing so they can become the Directors of Marketing for their businesses.

Jill is the author of the Amazon Top 25 Bestselling Marketing Book, That First Client, as well as the co-author of the bestseller, Cultivating Joy, and international bestseller, Gratitude and Grace.

Jill graduated with a B.A. in English from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. She obtained her master’s degree in history from the State University of Georgia in Carrollton. Prior to becoming a marketing coach, Jill worked for 14 years in the private sector, and has experience in marketing and public relations in healthcare, IT and small business.

Jill lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, two sons, three guinea pigs and a basset hound named Emma.

Most people I know feel one of two ways about public speaking: They either love it or hate it.

Speaking in public, though, is a fast-track marketing tactic that can help you increase your visibility and boost your brand. If you decide to embrace public speaking, here are 5 tips to help you maximize your presence in front of your audience: